https://dongleasonconsulting.com/

Don Gleason from Don Gleason Consulting talks about Unreasonable Engagement: How Startups Can Win by Doing More Than Expected

Unreasonable Engagement in Consulting

Mary and Don discussed the concept of "unreasonable engagement" in consulting, inspired by Will Guidara's transformation of a struggling restaurant into the world's top one through "unreasonable hospitality." Don explained that this approach involves leading with curiosity rather than judgment, asking questions to understand clients' needs and challenges, and providing solutions tailored to their unique situations. He emphasized that this method, which he applies to consulting for startups, focuses on giving clients more than they expect and avoiding preconceived notions about their businesses.

Flooring Company's Language Label Success

Don shared a success story about a flooring company that improved its market position by implementing a unique labeling system in multiple languages, which helped reduce mistakes and increase margins from 4% to the desired 10-12%.

Market Research for Startup Success

Don and Mary discussed the importance of market research for startups, emphasizing the need to identify and address customer pain points. They highlighted the importance of understanding the market's needs and delivering results rather than focusing solely on the process or tool. Don shared his experience of creating a software tool for consultants, which was developed after extensive market research and feedback from potential clients. They concluded that startups should prioritize customer needs and be flexible in their execution strategies.

Teamwork and Course Correction in Entrepreneurship

Don Gleason shared his sailing analogy to emphasize the importance of course correction and teamwork in entrepreneurship, highlighting that successful navigation requires adjusting to changing conditions and involving the team for better outcomes. He also introduced a personal principle of waiting for the right moment to address important conversations, comparing it to navigating shallow waters. Mary Scott encouraged startups to engage with Don for further insights and invited listeners to join future sessions for more advice on success.

Consulting Software: https://www.kingdomgrowthengine.com blog: “Unreasonable Consulting” – The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unreasonable-consulting-don-gleason-mba-72gte

https://blkunicrn.com

Joshua Blackwell from BLK UNICRN talks about immersive marketing experiences

Immersive Experiences for Sales Enablement

Mary Scott interviewed Josh Blackwell from BLK UNICRN about immersive experiences, which combine technology, storytelling, and interactivity to create engaging audience participation. Joshua explained that immersive experiences can take various forms, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and location-based activations, and provided examples such as sales enablement training and interactive slide decks for startups. He highlighted how these experiences can help sales teams understand customer pain points and create memorable investor presentations, emphasizing the importance of capturing attention within the first 13 seconds.

Next steps

• Startups to consider incorporating immersive experiences into their marketing toolkit.
• Startups to explore the possibility of creating immersive slide decks for investor pitches.
• Interested parties to contact Josh Blackwell from Black Unicorn for more information on immersive experiences.
• Startups interested in improving their chances of success to book a call with Mary Scott at https://businessriff.com

https://firstinsights.com

Lon Taylor from First Insights talks about the Why & How of UX Market Research

UX Research for Startup Success

Mary Scott discussed the importance of user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) research for startups with Lon Taylor from First Insights. They explored why such research is crucial, including understanding user needs, validating target markets, and ensuring product relevance. Lon suggested using qualitative research methods like interviews and surveys, emphasizing the value of depth and detail in user feedback. He also highlighted how UX research can help startups save time and money, attract funding, and refine their offerings.

Market Research for Startup Success

Mary and Lon discussed the importance of market research for startups, sharing examples of projects that failed due to lack of user testing and proper execution. Lon emphasized the value of usability testing and case studies, even for companies with significant investments. They agreed that Lon would provide a one-page guide for startups on market research, which Mary would share with her audience.

UX Research Tips for Startups PDF https://businessriff.com/documents/2025/07/ux-research-tips-for-startups.pdf/

Donna Loeffler from Mind Your Heart Marketing talks about Messaging for Engagement

Mary and Donna discussed the critical role of clear and effective messaging for startups, with Donna sharing her foolproof elevator pitch formula and custom GPT tool for message refinement. They explored the importance of specific language, painting vivid pictures, and focusing on target audience problems. Donna also highlighted the value of message testing and feedback, mentioning her monthly workshop where participants can practice their pitches in a supportive environment.

Donna emphasized the need to be specific, use language that paints a picture, and focus on the biggest problem of the target audience. She introduced her "foolproof elevator pitch formula" and a custom GPT tool to help refine messages. They also talked about the value of testing and tweaking messages, as well as getting feedback from potential customers. Donna mentioned her monthly "What to Say" workshop where participants can practice their elevator pitches in a safe environment.

https://donnaloeffler.com

George Ochieng Adongo from ATS talks about Funding Challenges for Startups

Startup Funding and Investor Challenges

Mary and George discussed challenges startups face in securing funding, with George highlighting location as a significant barrier due to investor blacklists in certain regions. He advised startups to focus on investors in the US for easier due diligence and emphasized the importance of a diverse, experienced, and trustworthy team to attract investors. George also stressed the need for startups to clearly define their funding needs, passion for their project, and expected timeline for return on investment, suggesting a preference for a longer-term approach over quick exits.

Discovery call: https://calendly.com/preferredmotivators/30min

Connect on X: @GeorgeAdon96301

https://www.barbaradaoust.com

Barbara Daoust from Success Mindset talks about Avoiding Procrastination

Overcoming Procrastination Strategies

Mary and Barbara discussed strategies to overcome procrastination, highlighting that the brain often defaults to familiar neural pathways due to fear and energy conservation. Barbara emphasized the importance of awareness and "brain hacks," such as stepping into fear and resistance, to break out of comfort zones and avoid procrastination. She also referenced techniques like the Mel Robbins 5-4-3-2-1 method to counteract rationalizations and excuses. Mary noted that procrastination can be particularly harmful for startups by hindering client acquisition and revenue generation.

Transforming Habits Through Awareness

Barbara discussed her approach to habit change, focusing on transforming two habits at a time over a 30-90 day period. She shared specific techniques including using visual cues like glasses and paper clips to track progress, and relabeling exercise time as business meetings to avoid social commitments. Barbara emphasized the importance of awareness and immediate action, noting that simply saying "do it later" would trigger her to complete tasks immediately, even if she was in a hurry.

Accountability and Cognitive Health Strategies

Barbara discussed the importance of commitment and accountability in achieving personal goals, emphasizing the value of having an accountability partner or coach. She highlighted the benefits of stepping outside one's comfort zone and the joy of completing tasks, while Mary suggested delegating tasks when needed. Barbara shared her experience with mindfulness apps and brainwave entrainment for managing the inner critic, and both speakers agreed on the importance of daily challenges and new experiences to prevent Alzheimer's and boost cognitive health.

Success Mindset Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/successmindsetmastery4u

https://thedebmethod.com/goalswithdeb/

Debra Eckerling from The D*E*B Method talks about Mission and Tagline for Startups.

Crafting Effective Mission Statements

Debra and Mary discussed the importance of mission statements for startups and businesses. Debra explained that a mission statement should be concise and align with personal goals and passion. She suggested using brainstorming techniques and creating a tagline to effectively communicate the mission. Debra emphasized the role of passion in defining one's mission and provided tips on simplifying and focusing mission statements.

Mission and Tagline for Startups

Mary and Debra discussed the importance of having a clear mission and tagline for startups to succeed. Debra emphasized the need to know oneself and one's business thoroughly, as this serves as a compass for decision-making and attracts opportunities. They agreed that involving the team in the process of defining the company's mission and tagline can enhance productivity and alignment. Mary encouraged startups to book a call with her to further their success.

Next steps

• Startups to define their mission statement and tagline, ensuring they are concise and authentic.
• Startup teams to engage in brainstorming sessions to develop and refine their company's mission and tagline.
• Startup leaders to encourage team members to create individual mission statements and taglines for their roles within the company.
• Entrepreneurs to practice "directed journaling" for 15 minutes, 3-5 times, to explore their passions and next steps for their business.
• Startups to evaluate opportunities against their mission statement to ensure alignment before pursuing them.

website: https://thedebmethod.com

52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting: https://www.amazon.com/52-Secrets-Goal-Setting-Goal-Getting-Focused/dp/168481717X/

Your Goal Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Goal-Guide-Planning-Achieving/dp/1642501506?ref_=ast_author_dp

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/coastbunny

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thedebmethod

http://theartofrelationshipping.com/

Michelle Hoffmann from The Art of Relationshipping talks about How to have a good relationships with your Co-Founder, Banker, IT person

Building Strong Team Alignment

Mary and Michelle discussed the importance of building strong relationships with team members and co-founders to ensure alignment with a business's mission and vision. Michelle emphasized the need to acknowledge and balance individual strengths and weaknesses, highlighting her book "The New Management BluePrint" as a resource for achieving this. She advised acknowledging team members' values and ensuring everyone understands their role in achieving the business's goals, which leads to personal and team success.

Adapting Communication for Diverse Audiences

Mary and Michelle discussed the importance of adapting communication styles to different audiences, such as co-founders, bankers, and IT professionals. Michelle emphasized the value of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives and skills, and advised against attempting to fit others into roles outside their expertise. They also explored the dynamics of professional and personal relationships, highlighting the need for open communication and the avoidance of "future casting" to truly understand others. Mary encouraged attendees to book a call with her for further support and to join the next session.

The New Management BluePrint: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086P8HWCW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Website: https://Theartofrelationshipping.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Relationshipping101

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofrelationshipping/

Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Mishhoffmann

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebroslerhoffmann/